§ 21. Sir J. BUTCHERasked the tinder-Seeretary of State for the 1853 Colonies whether he is aware that the officials of the Irish Post Office and other civil servants in Southern Ireland, who retired in consequence of the change of Government, are entitled under Article 10 of the Treaty to compensation on terms not less favourable than those accorded to them under the Act of 1920, and that such Act defines salary as including remuneration allowances and emoluments; whether, prior to the minute of the British Treasury of the 20th March, 1922, placing supplementary pensions on a sliding scale subject to quarterly revision, British civil servants retired with a fixed supplementary pension not subject to revision; and whether, in view of the fact that this British Treasury minute was made after the Treaty, he will make representation to the Free State Government to grant compensation in accordance with Article 10?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREHis Majesty's Government cannot regard it as unreasonable that in these cases bonus should be taken into account in the same manner as if the officers were retiring from the British Civil Service, and I do not think that the fact that the date of the Treasury Minute which gave effect to the wishes of the House of Commons in this matter was subsequent to that of the Treaty affords any ground for representations by the British Government.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERIn view of the fact that the British Government have repeatedly pledged themselves to see that proper compensation and bonus are paid to these civil servants, will my hon. Friend take the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown as to whether these men are being properly paid or not?
§ Mr. J. JONESWill the British Government also use its influence with the Northern Government to see that the people who were persecuted and burned out are also compensated?
§ Sir J. BUTCHERMay I have an answer to my question?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREIt is not for me to approach the Law Officers. I will convey the suggestion of my hon. and 1854 learned Friend the Member for York (Sir J. Butcher) to my Noble Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies.